If you’ve even thought about taking a gap year, you can already hear the objections from your parents in your head. Maybe it goes something like this:

“What?!? You going to spend senior year filling out college applications, gathering financial information, tracking down scholarships, writing essays, sweating test prep, and then you’re not going to go???”

If you’re the parent of a student interested in the arts, your emotions probably ricochet between amazement and panic.

There’s nothing like the thrill of seeing your children’s artwork on a gallery wall, or hearing them play in a concert, or seeing them perform on a stage. Then, comes the fear that they might actually want to do this as a career. And, you’re imagining them living in the basement forever.

These days, high school students are encouraged to try out possible careers or majors through jobs and internships.

But sometimes that’s easier said than done.

High school internships aren’t always easy to find. Employers often prefer college students, can’t afford to pay interns, or don’t have the time to supervise them. Teen part-time jobs, while valuable, may not offer the kind of experience that will tell you if engineering is the right major for you.

If you’re a high school student ready to get a part-time job, internship or volunteer position, there’s an important tool you’ll need to describe how awesome you are, convey your individuality, and tell employers how to get in touch with you.

That tool is a job resume. And even if you’re still in high school; even if you’ve never held a paying job; even if you’re convinced you don’t have any relevant experience, you can write a truthful and good-looking resume that will help convince someone that you will make a good employee.

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The Insider: College Admissions Advice from the Experts is where College Coach experts weigh in on the latest college admissions topics. We cover everything from application timelines and strategies to tips on financing your child's education.